Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Panorama Trail

Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Panorama Trail is a 8.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Yosemite National Park, CA that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible from May until October.

8.2 miles1130 feetPoint to Point

birding

hiking

nature trips

walking

forest

river

views

waterfall

wild flowers

wildlife

no dogs

A mostly-downhill hike with views of Half Dome, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls and the Yosemite Valley
There is no better hike in Yosemite National Park which offers the amazing views of Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Illilouette Fall, Yosemite Fall, and the entire Valley than the Panorama Trail. This hike will take you on an adventure from Glacier Point, high above the valley, down to the Mist Trail where you will hike next to both Nevada and Vernal Falls. The hike ends near Curry Village where you can grab a bite to eat or take the free shuttle to anywhere in the park.
While this hike loses 2,800ft in elevation, it is not an easy hike; some would even rate it as strenuous. After the initial climb down to Illilouette Fall you will hike back up 800ft of steep switchbacks before hiking down the same distance immediately after. The Mist Trail can be especially tough on the knees, especially the section from the top of Nevada Fall to Vernal Fall, which is almost exclusively made up of small stone steps.
But don't let that discourage you, the views of the Falls, the Valley, and the surrounding area more than make up for the aches and pains you may keep with you the next few days.

If you can only do one day hike in Yosemite this is it. Panorama Trail through hike to Half Dome Village. We started from Glacier Point and hiked down the Panorama Trail circling into the valley, joining the Mist Trail to Half Dome Village.

So beautiful, fun... of all my hikes to date this is my favorite. For now. Remind me to upload some pictures and you can describe.

I started at Glacier Point and made my way down to the Valley. Took Four Mile from the Valley to Glacier Point.

The hike has a bit of elevation, but the overall 14 miles was a breeze compared to El Capitan & Clouds Rest.

I really enjoyed the scenery throughout the entire hike. I'd vote that it has better views and scenery than El Capitan, but nothing even close to as epic as Clouds Rest. If you're willing to knock out this much mileage, I'd highly recommend going the extra distance for Clouds Rest.

I did this trail yesterday out and back to Nevada Falls. Was a beautiful walk for about 3/4 of the way back but the climb back to Glacier Point was pretty brutal at the end of the day. Take plenty of water and some protein. You'll need it.

The trail really does allow for some of the most spectacular views I have ever been witness too so bring a good camera and stop often as the perspective changes quickly as you hike. I want to do this again but recommend you hike all the way to the floor and take a shuttle back to Glacier point to get back to your car.

To date, this is the most beautiful trail I have ever been on. Was on this trail heading to Little Yosemite before summiting Half Dome on Labor Day Weekend. Definitely not crowded, even on a holiday weekend. You get views of valley and the high country that you just cannot describe.

*One note*

We were originally permitted and intending to sleep near Illioutte Fall our first night. It is basically impossible to legally backcountry camp along this route. Anywhere that is flat, holds soil and is far enough away from the trails and water sources is too dense with vegetation. You should plan to push all the way through to an area like Little Yosemite Campground.

Beautiful trail and what a wonderful way to experience Yosemite for the first time. We got to Glacier Point early enough to see the sun rise above Half Dome. We hiked out to Nevada Falls and returned to Glacier Point since all the one way bus rides were sold out.

Wonderful trail that gives you some views that can't be found anywhere else in the park. This is quite possibly the best trail in the park as far as great sights, and variety in a single day.

Alltrails describes this as a loop trail. It's not a loop, either a one way point to point or an out and back if you want to go both ways. I would highly recommend you do it as a point to point as the out and back would take quite a while. Hiking from the top (glacier point) to the bottom requires some logistics, but is the easier way to do it and is about 4-7 hours of hiking.

Some absolutely stunning views of Yellowstone! We did a section of this trail between Glacier Point and Nevada Falls. The trail wasn't crowded (in early May) and it's aptly named for its panorama views.